16 Best Tank Games on PC 2023 (Ultimate List)

Best tank games: Looking for the ultimate tank game experience on your PC? It’s not always easy to find a game that ticks all the right boxes, but fear not, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re after the biggest, most immersive armored division sims or the best free tank games, we’ve got the lowdown on what’s hot and what’s not.

Tank games are all about putting you in the driver’s seat of a hulking, indestructible war machine that can level entire buildings with a single shot. They’re designed to make you feel both invincible and incredibly powerful, and some of the best free PC games on the market do just that. But they’re not without their challenges – reloading takes forever, tanks move at a snail’s pace, and you’re always the enemy’s top priority. It’s that mixture of empowerment and claustrophobia that makes tank games such a thrilling ride.

Tank games have been around since the Apple II days, offering a wide range of options for players to choose from. Whether you prefer hyper-realistic simulations with complex controls or arcade-style shoot-’em-ups where you just point and explode, there’s a tank game out there for everyone. You might even find a sneaky anime RPG or two if that’s more your style.

Best Tank Games on PC

Check out these awesome best tank games on PC!

War Thunder

War Thunder is a massive collection of free tank and online games that caters to hardcore tacticians, genius statisticians, and those who pay obsessive attention to detail. Unlike its rival, World of Tanks, War Thunder is not very accessible. With a vast number of tanks and research branches, players can easily lose track of time pouring over the wrong tank. Moreover, War Thunder features a complex and sophisticated armour penetration mechanic, which requires careful consideration before taking a shot.

Although War Thunder’s arcade mode provides a decent introduction to the game’s core mechanics, true veterans of the game cannot be considered so until they’ve emerged victorious from a simulator battle. This game mode strips players of their view, disables aim assists, and increases the time it takes to perform any action, making every encounter a nail-biting tactical nightmare.

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Enlisted

Have you ever wanted to be a master tank commander and roll your heavily-armored tank across iconic WWII battlefields? Well, now you can with Enlisted, a free-to-play MMO from Gaijin Entertainment. This game lets you experience several pivotal campaigns in detail and puts you in control of a variety of tanks to use in battle.

Enlisted’s commitment to historical accuracy ensures that each campaign features only tanks and armored vehicles that were available during the real war. This means you won’t see any anachronistic vehicles like a K2 Black Panther popping up and ruining your immersion. With your AI squad members each specializing in a different tactic, you can choose to command your tank from the safety of your steel shell or switch to infantry or aircraft for a different perspective.

World of Tanks

Looking for a best tank game that’s easy to get into but has enough depth to keep you invested? World of Tanks might be just what you’re looking for! While it’s not a hardcore, lifetime-to-master tank sim, this free-to-play game offers fast and frantic gameplay with just the right amount of realistic elements. With over 800 armored vehicles to choose from, including everything from scout vehicles to battlefield behemoths, there’s plenty of variety to keep you engaged. Plus, with vehicles from eight different countries, you’ll always have something new to battle alongside or face off against.

So if you’re a casual gamer looking for an accessible tank game with plenty of progression and unlockable tanks, give World of Tanks a try!

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Call of War: World War II

Do you ever feel like playing a game where you’re in control of a tank, blasting your enemies to bits? Or maybe you prefer to take a top-down approach, dispatching your tanks strategically to where they’re needed most? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll experience in Call of War: World War II, a free-to-play MMO grand strategy game.

In this game, you get to choose which major combatant you want to play as in the Second World War and make decisions that could alter history. It’s not a game you can finish in one sitting; you’ll keep coming back over a long period of time to invest your resources wisely. You might focus on research to boost your economy or beef up your military to become an unstoppable force. Be warned, though, this game will easily consume hours of your time!

Valkyria Chronicles 4

Tanks make you feel powerful as you charge through battlefields, demolishing buildings left and right. But not every game allows for reckless behavior. In Valkyria Chronicles 4, charging in without a plan leaves you vulnerable, creating a unique blend of strategy and strength.

As the player, you take on the role of an army officer tasked with leading your unit through the harsh realities of war in Sega’s tactical RPG. In turn-based battles, you’ll call upon a tank to aid you in combat. Using smart tactics, you can flank your enemies and demolish them with ease. However, if you make a wrong move, you risk having your tank taken down by a Lancer.

The game’s setting is inspired by Europe’s political climate pre-WWI, but visually, it resembles an anime game, giving it a unique and charming look that sets it apart from other tank-based games.

Panzer Corps 2

After almost nine years, the release date for Panzer Corps 2 has finally arrived. The WWII strategy game sequel boasts a huge visual upgrade and expands on the tank battle game experience with over 1000 unique units (compared to Panzer Corps’ 800) and a sprawling campaign featuring 60 scenarios.

The multiplayer options are also abundant, providing various ways to take the battle online against or with your friends. With comprehensive modding support and a robust scenario editor, you can now create the tank-on-tank showdowns you’ve always dreamed of.

Armored Warfare

Armored Warfare and World of Tanks share some similarities, like being MMO tank games that are free-to-play. However, Armored Warfare sets itself apart with several key differences that make it worth the time for veteran tank game players. Instead of sticking to World of Tanks’ traditional gameplay, Armored Warfare modernizes the experience with more equipment, newer tanks, and a variety of versatile tank tech that adds a lot more variety to the core gameplay.

What’s more, Armored Warfare offers a PVE mode where you can team up with friends to take on AI enemies, allowing you to progress through the ranks of tanks without constantly losing to highly skilled players in PVP. Armored Warfare is a live game, with frequent updates that bring new tanks and enhance the gameplay. You’ll never run out of tanks to drive and enemies to destroy.

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Steel Armor: Blaze Of War

Do you know what’s more exciting than blowing things up and driving through buildings in a best tank game? It’s carefully managing your crew and tank’s parts so much that you forget you’re in a tank and feel like you’re a machinist in a factory! That’s exactly what Steel Armor: Blaze of War offers to tank game lovers by taking them to the 1980s Iran-Iraq conflicts battlefield.

What’s impressive about this game is the incredible attention to detail. Although the game features only two tanks, both are crafted with remarkable accuracy both inside and out. Admittedly, the game can be a bit fiddly and difficult to access at times, but if you’re a veteran of tank games or a fan of war games set in a more modern era, Steel Armor is a must-play.

Panzer Elite Action: Gold Edition

Panzer Elite Action: Gold Edition is the ultimate tank game that bundles two classic Panzer titles into one thrilling Steam release. It’s perfect for those times when all you want to do is drive tanks around World War II battlefields and blow stuff up. The game is incredibly user-friendly and loaded with engaging mechanics and unlockables. With hours upon hours of gameplay, Panzer Elite Action is all about surviving historical campaigns and fighting another day.

You can play as either the Allied or Axis side in a variety of famous conflicts, commanding four-to-five tanks and wreaking havoc on your enemies. While it’s not as realistic as its originator, Panzer Elite, the game’s focus on upgrading your equipment and looking after your crew creates an immersive experience that will keep you hooked from start to finish. So, if you’re looking for a best tank game that’s both fun and challenging, Panzer Elite Action: Gold Edition is definitely worth checking out!

Arma 3

Arma 3 is an epic open-world game that covers a whopping 170 miles of military terrain. It’s not just about close-quarters combat in destroyed cities anymore. In Arma 3, you have to be constantly on the lookout for new threats on the horizon, which adds a new level of anxiety to the game. Since buildings and natural cover are scarce, your survival and victory depend on your ability to identify and eliminate enemies before they spot you.

Although Arma 3 isn’t strictly a tank game, it provides a level of realism that brings the modern tank warfare concept to life. In fact, news organizations have mistaken Arma 3’s gameplay for real war footage due to its stunning realism. One of the game’s strengths is playing as a tank in a massive army, where you can assist ground assaults, hunt down enemy tanks, and wreak havoc on strongholds. And if you ever get tired of the heavy armor, you can switch to one of the best sniper games available.

Steel Division 2

Do you love strategy games and the thrill of commanding armies during World War II? Then Steel Division 2 might just be the game for you! Set on the Eastern Front, you take control of the entire Soviet army in real-time skirmishes across 25 massive maps, each spanning up to 150×100 kilometres. With over 600 unit types at your disposal, victory is yours for the taking in solo or coop campaigns, or in multiplayer matches with up to ten players on each side.

But what sets Steel Division 2 apart from other RTS games is that it puts less emphasis on resource gathering and more on commanding tanks and destroying enemy forces. It’s all about the action and excitement of large-scale battles across vast landscapes. So, if you’re ready to lead your army to victory and witness 20 generals going head-to-head on a massive map, then you need to give Steel Division 2 a try!

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Battlefield 2042

In most tank games, you need to position yourself carefully to survive. But in Battlefield 2042, the tanks are different. They don’t like careful positioning. Instead, they prefer to go fast, take down helicopters, and scare off ground troops. They’re basically ridiculous.

In this game, tank gameplay is all about causing chaos and wreaking havoc on the battlefield. It’s a power trip, allowing players to dominate as the ultimate killing machine and leave any strategic planning behind. You’ll earn XP as you exchange shells with your enemies and leave destruction in your wake.

However, if you prefer a more traditional tank experience, you can try out Battlefield Portal. This mode incorporates elements from classic Battlefield games and lets you play them within Battlefield 2042.

Heroes & Generals

If we forget about the strategy-based metagame in Heroes & Generals’ captivating ground battles, we’re still left with an action-packed combined forces war game where tanks play a crucial role. However, including the metagame transforms Heroes & Generals into a complete package for tankers, providing everything from resource management to explosive first-person combat.

Heroes & Generals demands players to constantly pay attention to their tank management features, but this doesn’t take away from the primary focus of causing chaos. As a tank commander in the combined forces aspect of the game, your actions can truly make a difference for your teammates, whether they’re on the ground or in the air. If you have a passion for WW2 military hardware, then Heroes & Generals is undoubtedly one of the best free Steam games available.

Red Orchestra 2

This Eastern Front shooter isn’t all about tanks, but they play a significant role in the game’s gritty realism. The tanking experience in Red Orchestra 2 is top-notch, as they seamlessly blend into the mud-and-guts gameplay.
Like in War Thunder, ballistics and armour penetration mechanics are used, making every tank encounter an intense and adrenaline-fueled duel where skill and precision are key. It’s one of the best multiplayer games on PC, partly due to the constant danger of instant death from enemy anti-tank troops.

Company of Heroes 3

SEGA’s Company of Heroes 3 is a tactical game that emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking and effective use of tanks. Success in the game hinges on understanding the importance of cover, line-of-sight, and suppression, which means that players must use genuine battlefield tactics to thwart the Axis threat.

In Company of Heroes 3, tanks are incredibly powerful and can turn the tide of any battle. It’s satisfying to watch as they obliterate enemy infantry units with their guns blazing.
However, players must exercise caution and avoid sending their armored units into the fray without proper protection. The game punishes reckless behavior and acknowledges the inherent vulnerabilities of tanks.

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Panzer Corps

Panzer Corps offers an exceptional old-school turn-based strategy gaming experience. As a Wehrmacht general, you take on the responsibility of managing and overseeing operations across 26 challenging Axis campaigns.

The game focuses heavily on leading your units to victory, providing you with over 800 different unit types across 20 unit classes. This results in a vast array of attacking options for both sides, and each unit is evaluated based on around 20 parameters to determine its strengths and weaknesses. This level of detail makes the game a dream for battlefield-mathematicians and one of the best strategy games out there.

Conclusion

Congratulations, commander! You are now equipped with knowledge of the very best tank games to play on PC and ready to embark on your own campaign of destruction.